By Carmen Lebar
The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa is a wholesome tale about Rintaro and his grandfather’s bookshop. When Rintaro’s grandfather dies, he is left with his grandfather's bookshop, which he will eventually have to leave to go live with his aunt. Unexpectedly, Rintaro is visited by an orange tabby cat who needs his help to free books from various perils. The two, plus classmate Sayo, go on a bookish adventure that teaches them the importance of books in one’s life. I enjoyed Rintaro’s story and think it’s a simple yet effective novel that explores the theme of grief.
What I enjoyed most about this novel was how the journey Rintaro takes ultimately leads him to deal with his grandfather’s passing. At the beginning of the novel, we see Rintaro isolate himself from those he cares about, and from his classmates. An unnamed tabby cat convinces Rintaro to go on a journey to save books through a portal at the back of the bookshop. Once he begins his journey entering the various labyrinths and meeting unexpected people, he starts to build his confidence. It was heartwarming to see Rintaro regain his footing in life and find ways to honour the life of his grandfather. Although the novel centres around a lot of bookish tropes, the underlying story of grief and closure was very touching, and a joy to read.
There is only one critique I have with this novel, and it is with how the book was marketed. It’s marketed for an adult audience, but I feel like it is best suited for a younger audience. That is not to say that adults can’t enjoy this novel—I did. Rintaro is in high school, dealing with his grandfather's passing, questions about his future, and also figuring out his own identity. These are dilemmas that affect many people Rintaro’s age, which I think would make it a great book for a younger audience. It’s a perfect novel to present to someone younger if they’re dealing with the loss of a loved one or going through a difficult time while in school. Although there is a lot of youthfulness to this book, the overall themes in this story made me realize how important books are—regardless of age. It is a journey not just through books, but through identity and the processing of grief.
The Cat Who Saved Books is a wonderful book for a cozy time, snuggled up in bed, and sipping some hot tea. If you like books about books, this should be your next read. It’s also a great short book for a buddy read or book club. It’s short but will surely have people talking. It’s also a great read for anyone who has lost a loved one and needs a cozy read that may help them to see the positive in life again. Funny, heartwarming, and perfectly bookish, The Cat Who Saved Books is a fun adventure novel that you can get lost in.
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.